Fig. 6

Effects of negative feedback between Prrx1 and miR-140-3p on rapid chondrogenic differentiation of the RM cells. A 3D culture system for the induction of chondrogenic differentiation of RM cells. B Chondrogenic differentiation of C3H/10T1/2 in our established 3D culture system. C Chondrogenic potential of the RM cells overexpressed with miR-140-3p/Prrx1 or downregulated expression of miR-140-3p/Prrx1, compared with the blank or empty lentivirus infection groups. Chondral spheroids were confirmed to have chondrocyte characteristics using Alcian blue staining, Sox9, Col II, and Acan. Expression in each group was examined using qPCR (n = 3 biological replicates per group). Data are presented as the mean ± standard error. Two-tailed Student’s t-test was used to compare the differences between two groups. The red columns represent the Sox9 gene. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 versus the day 0 group. The blue columns represent Col II gene, # p < 0.05, ## p < 0.01 versus the day 0 group. The green columns represent Acan gene, ∆ p < 0.05, ∆∆ p < 0.01 versus the day 0 group